Control system for electric motors.



No. 882,658. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908. H. L. VAN VALKENBURG. CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1904.

I g WWW INVENTOR BY Q Q. ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

M 6. dim/Mr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HERMON L. VAN VALKENBURG, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIG & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 24, 1908.

Application filed September 2, 1904. Serial No. 223,139.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hermon L. VAN VAL- KENBURG, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Systems for Electric Motors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to s stems of control for electrical apparatus, an it is particularly applicable to systems in which the voltage applied-to the translating devices is varied by adjusting the circuit connections to a subdivided transformer winding.

The primary object of my invention is to so organize a control system that the same resistance element may serve as a preventive resistance, when changing the connection between the translating devices and the transformer winding from one point to another, and as a starting or regulating resistance in the circuit of said devices when no such change is being made.

Another object of my invention is to so combine a set of voltage-varying switches and a set of resistance-governing switches that they shall operate in the proper sequence and shall be-prevented from operating in any other sequence or order.

My invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, the single figure of which represents a system constructed in accordance therewith.

An auto-transformer winding 1 has one terminal connected to a trolley 2' and an intermediate point 3, near its other terminal, connected to the track or grounded conductor 4. (hence-ted to other intermediate points in the transformer winding 1, are eads 5, 6 and 7, which are connected respectively to terminals 8, 9 and 10 of voltagevarying switches 11, 12 and 13. Instead of the auto-transformer 1, a twwwinding transformer might be employed, the secondary winding of which should be provided with spaced leads, in a manner similar to that here shown.

Terminals 14 and 15 of the respective switches 11 and 13 are connected together and to terminal 16 of a switch 17, and terminal 1 8 of switch 12 is connected to terminal'19 of switch 20. Terminals 21 and 22 of the respective switches 17 and 20 are connected to terminals 23 and 24 of resistancegoverning switches 25 and 26. The other '31 a point 32 intermediate its terminals being connected to terminal 33 of a resistancegoverning switch 44 the other terminal 35 of which is connected to the terminal 24 of switch 26. The point 32. may or may not be the middle of the resistance 31, according to the value of resistance steps that may be desired.

The arrangement of motors here shown is only one of many possible arrangements which may be employed in such systems, and since it forms no essential part of my invention I deem it unnecessary to describe it.

The switches 11, 12, 13,17,20, 25, 26 and 34 are operated, respectively, by magnet coils 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43, one terminal of each of which is connected to one terminal of a battery 44 and the other terminals of which are respectively connected to contact fingers 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 of a controller 53. The other terminal of the battery 44 is connected to contact finger Y 54 of the controller 53.

The operation of my invention may be best understood from a consideration of the individualpositions of the controller 53. In position a, contact fingers 45, 48 and 51 make contact with controller drum segment 56 and finger 54 makes contact with the drum segment 55 whereby the circuits of the magnet coils 36, 39 and 42 are completed, to effect closure of the corresponding switches 11, 17 and 26. Energy is then supplied from the auto-transformer winding 1 through the lead 5, switches 11 and 17, resistance 31 and switch 26. In position b of the controller, contact finger 52 also engages the controller drum segment 56 and the circuit of the magnet coil 43 is thereby completed, to effect closure of the switch 34 and cut out a portion of the resistance 31 from the motor circuit.

In position 0, contact fingers 51 and 52 become disengaged from the drum segment 56 and the finger 50 engages it, thereby completing the circuit of the magnet coil 41 and eflecting closure of the switch 25. Energy is then supplied to the motors from the autotransformer winding 1, through the lead 5 and switches 11, 17 and 25, and all of the resistance is cut out of circuit. In osition d, contact fingers 45 and 48 are 'sengaged from the drum segment 56 and the fingers 46 and 49 engage the segment 55, thereby completing the circuits of magnet coils 37 and 40, which, in turn, close the switches 12 and 20.

' The motor circuit is then complreted from the auto-transformer winding 1 t ough lead 6, switches 12 and 20, resistance 31 andswitch 25. In passing from the position to position (1, the contact fingers 45 and 48 are not disengaged from the drum segment 56 until after the fingers 46 and 49 make contact with segment 55 and, consequently, for

an instant, a local circuit is established through the lead 5, a portion of the autotr'ansformer winding 1, lead 6, switches 12 and 20, resistance 31 and switches 21 and 11. The amount of current in this local circuit is reduced by the resistance 31, which, during the moment of changing from the one position'of the controller to the other, acts as a preventive resistance. In position e of the controller 53, contact finger 52 engages the 'drum segment 57 and the switch 34 is again 'ating in other than the predetermined order that is, the switches 11, 12 and 13 are caused to close successively and switches 11 and 13 are prevented from closing simultaneously in order that a portion of the transformer winding may not be short-circuited thereby. The swltches 17 and 20 are caused to close alternately and the resistanceoverning switches 25, 34 and 26 are cause to close successively, a reverse order of closure corresponding to closure of successive voltagevarying switches. However, it will be readily understood that, in practice, other means may be em loyed instead of or 1n addition to the contro er for causlng the switchesto operate in the desired manner, such, for instance, as interlocking or auxiliary switches that are operated by certain of the main switches. f

For the sake of simplicity of illustration only three voltage-varying switches have here been employed, corresponding terminals of the first and the third of which are connected together, but, obviously, a greater number of switches may be em loyed, in which case corresponding termina s of both sets of alternate switches will beconnected in a similar manner to that shown and the order of closure of the switches will also be similar.

While I have shown the switches in the I main circuits as electrically operated decessive points of subdivision of the transformer winding or in series with said leads.

2. Ina system of control, the combination of a subdivided transformer Winding a translating device or devices, means for connecting the same between oints of subdivision of the transformer win ing, a resistance and means for connecting the same either between leads from successive points of subdivision of the transformer winding or in series with said leads.

3. In a system of control, the combination of a subdivided transformer winding, a translating device or devices, a resistance, and

means for connecting the same either between leads from successive points of subdivision of-the transformer winding or in series with said leads.

4. In a system of control, the combination of a subdivided transformer winding, a translating device or devices, means for connect- ;ing the same between points of subdivision of the said winding, a resistance, and means for connecting the same between points of sub- :division of the transformer winding when a change in connection of the translating device or devices is being made from one to the other and for connecting the same in the circuit of the said devices when no such change is being made.

5. In a system of control, the combination of a subdivided transformer'winding, a translating device or devices, means for connecting-thesame between points of subdivision of the said winding, a resistance which serves alternately to prevent short-circuiting portions of the transformer winding and as a starting or regulating resistance in the circuit of the translating device or devices.

6. In a system of control for electrical apparatus, a source of variable-voltage energy,

a resistance and means for including said resistance in the local circuit that is established -m0mentarily in changing from one voltage to paratus, a transformer, means for varying its active length, a resistance, and means for connecting the same in the local circuit that is formed when changing from one length of transformer winding to another and for connecting it in the circuit of the controlled apparatus as a regulating resistance.

8. In a system of control, the combination of a set of separately actuated voltage-varying switches, a set of resistance-governing switches, and means for controlling the operation of both sets of switches.

9. In a system of control, the combination of a set of separately actuated voltage-varyl ing'switches, a set of resistance-governing switches and means for preventing simultaneous closure of certain of said voltagevarying switches.

10. In a system of control, the combination :0 of a set of separately actuated voltage-varying switches, a set of resistance-governing switches, means for preventing simultaneous closure of certain of said voltage-varying switches, and means for causing the resistance-governing switches to close successively.

11. In a system of control, the combination of a set of separately actuated voltage-varying switches, a set of separately actuated resistance-governing switches, means for pre- 0 venting simultaneous closure of certain of said voltage-varying switches, means for causing the resistance-governing switches to close successively, and means for causing each resistance-governing switch to open after a 5 succeeding one has closed.

12. In a system of control, the combination of a set of separately actuated voltage-varying switches, means for effecting successive closure thereof, and means for preventing 0 simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the said set.

13. In a system of control, the combination of a set of separately actuated voltage-varying switches, means for effecting successive 5 closure thereof, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the said set, and a set of resistance-governing switches.

14. In a system of control, the combina- 3 tion of a set of separately actuated voltagevarying switches, means for effecting successive closure thereof, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the said set, a set of resistance-governing switches, and means for effecting successive closure thereof.

15. In a system of control, the combina-- tion of a set of separately actuated voltagevarying switches, means for effecting successive closure thereof, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the said set, a set of resistance-governing switches, means for effecting successive closure thereof, and means for causing each of the latter switches to open after a succeeding one has closed.

16. In a system of control, the combination of a set of switches, terminals of alternate switches of the set being connected together, means for effecting successive closure thereof, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of said set, and a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches of the set.

17. In a system of control, the combination of a set'of switches, terminals of alter- .nate switches of the set being connected .a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches of the set, other switches having terminals connected to the said resistance, and means for effecting successive closure thereof.

19. In a system of control, the combination with a subdivided transformer winding and a translating device or devices, of means for connecting the same between points of subdivision of the said winding, a resistance, means for connecting the same first between leads from successive oints of subdivision of the transformer win in and then in series with one of said leads, an( means for cuttin the said resistance out of the circuit of said translating device or devices.

20. In a system of control, the combination with a translating device or devices, a transformer winding which is subdivided by means of leads, and switches located in said leads, of means for preventing the switches in alternate leads being closed simultaneously. I

21. In a system of control, the combination with a translating device or devices, and a transformer winding which is subdivided by means of leads, of switches in said leads,

a resistance connected between terminals of successive switches of the set, and switches, having terminals connected to the said resistance.

22. In a system of control, the combination with a translating device or devices and a transformer winding which is subdivided by means of leads, of switches in sald leads, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the set, a resistance connected between terminals of said switches,

and switches having terminals connected to the said resistance.

23. In a system of control, the combination with a translating device or devices and a transformer winding which is subdivided by means of leads, of switches in said leads, a resistance connected between terminals of successive switches of the set, switches having" terminals connected to the said resistance, and means for causing one of said switches to open after another has closed.

24. In a system of control, the combination with a translating device or devices and a transformer winding which is subdivided by means of leads, of switches in said leads, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the set, a resistance connected between terminals of said switches, switches having terminals connected to the said resistance, and means for causing one of said switches to open after another has closed.

25. In a system of control, the combination with one or more translating devices, a

source of electrical energ a transformer winding supplied therefrom, leads connected to said winding, a set of switches having corresponding terminals at one side connected to said leads and alternate corresponding terminals at the other side connected together, a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches, and other switches having terminals connected to said resistance and the remaining terminals connected together and to said translating devices.

26. In asystem of control, the combination with one or more translating devices, a

source of electrical energy, a transformerwinding supJ) therefrom, leads connected to said win i switches having one set of corresponding terminals connected to said leads and another set of corresponding terminals alternate, terminals of which are connected together, means for effecting successive closure of said switches, a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches, and other switches having terminals connected to said resistance and the remaining terminals connected together and to said translating devices.

27. In a system of control, the combination with oneor more translating devices, a source of electrical energy,, a transformer winding sup lied therefrom, leads connected to said win ng, switches having one set of terminals connected to said leads and an other set, the alternate terminals of which are connected together, means for effecting successive closure of said switches, means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches, a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches, and other switches having terminals connected to said resistance and the remaining terminals conied nected together and to said translating devices.

28. In a system of control, the combination with one or more translating devices, a source of electrical energy, a transformer winding supplied therefrom, leads connected to sald winding, switches having one set of terminals connected to said leads and another set, the alternate terminals of which are connected together, a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches, other switches having terminals connected to said resistance and the remaining terminals connected together and to said translating devices, and means for effecting successive closure thereof.

29. In a system of control, the combination with one or more translating devices, a source of electrical energy, a transformer winding supplied therefrom, leads connected to said winding, switches having one set of terminals connected to said leads and another set, the alternate terminals of which are connected together, a resistance connected between the terminals of successive switches, other switches having terminals connected to said resistance and other terminals connected together and to said translating devices, means for effecting successive closure thereof and means for causing each of the latter switches to open after a succeeding switch has closed.

30. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a distributin circuit and a set of separately actuate switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the said source, of means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the said setr v 31. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a distributin circuit and a set of separately actuate switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the said source, of means for effecting successive closure of the switches and means for preventing simultaneous closure of alternate switches of the set.

32. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage and a set of voltage-varying switches, of a resistance, a set of resistance-governing switches, means for causing the resistance-governing switches to close successively and means for causing the order of closure of the resistance governing switches to be reversed after the o eration of successive voltage-varying switc es. I

38. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a distributing circuit and a set of separately actuated switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the source of multi le voltage, of a resistance and a set of switc es for varying the amount of the resistance that is included in the distributing circuit.

34. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a dis-' tributin circuit and a set of separately actuate switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the source of multiple voltage, of means for preventin simultaneous operation of alternate switc es of said set, a resistance, and means for varying the amount of the resistance that is included in the distributing circuit.

35. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a distributing circuit and meansfor connecting the distributing circuit to the source of multiple voltage, of a resistance and means for connecting the resistance alternately between alternate switches of said set and in the distributing circuit.

36. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a distributing circuit and a set of switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the source of multiple voltage, of a resistance and means for including the resistance in alocal circuit with successive switches of said set when both are closed and in the distributing circuit when only one of them is closed.

.37. In a system of control, the combination with a source of multiple voltage, a dis tributing circuit and a set of switches for connecting the distributing circuit to the source of multiple voltage, of a resistance, means for connecting the resistance alternately between successive switches of said set and the distributing circuit, and means for varying the amount of the resistance that is included in the distributing circuit.

- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of August 1904.

. H-ERMON L. VAN YALKENBURG. Witnesses:

OTTO S. SOHAIRER, H. A. SoHAUB. 

